Reliability Allocation in Parallel Series Systems

Mushtaq A.K. Shkeer

Hassanein Qassam Zeidan

Zahir Abdul Haddi Hassan

University of Babylon

University of Babylon

University of Babylon

College of Education

College of Education

College of Education

Abstract:
In this paper we evaluate the reliability allocation in parallel - series
systems by using reduction to series element method which it helping to
reduced these systems and complex systems to series systems easier
computing .


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1. Introduction
Many researchers works to compute the reliability allocation in series,
and complex systems like Srinath (1985) , Subrie (1996) and Jorge (2004).
The reliability factor of a system is known or is specified on the basis of
the overall mission requirements. If the system comprises many elements
and units, we must have method to determine the reliability factor for each
of them . So that when they are assembled to form a system . The system
reliability will have the desired value.
The purpose of reliability allocation is to establish a goal or objective for
the reliability of each component so that the manufacturers can have an idea
of the performance required of this product.

2. Some definitions and general concepts

The terminology to follow is very important in creating and analyzing
reliability block diagrams.
Definition (1-2) Reliability System RS or R System
The probability that an item will perform its intended function for a
specified interval under stated conditions . see (Govil)
Definition (2-2) Reliability Allocation
The process by which the failure allowance for a system is allocated
in some logical manner its sub-systems and elements. see (Srinath)
3. Problem description
If (m) such sets are connected in series where each set consists of (n)
component in parallel , then the reliability of the system (R System or RS) is
given by

Rsystem = [1 (1 R ) n ] m

(1)

Rsystem = [RP ] m where RP = 1 (1 R ) n

The parallel series configuration is depicted in fig (1)
1

2
.
.
.

.
.
.

n
Fig (1) parallel series system

For calculating the reliability allocation, the given system convert into an
equivalent system consisting of only series components. This process is
termed reduction to series element method ,in this method we systematically
replace each parallel path by an equivalent single path and ultimately reduce
the given system to one consisting of only series elements as in fig.(2) (the
exponential distribution is useful model in this work).

Fig.(2) Series system

The principle adopted in this method for subdividing the system

failure allowance is that the failure allowance of each component is directly
proportional to the predicted probability of failure. This rule based on the
assumption that the components exhibit a constant failure rate, and if i is
the failure rate of component i , i= 1,. , m , s is termed the predicted
system failure rate
m

Where s =

i =1

(2)

*s be the specified system failure rate which is assumed to be less than s.

To compute the required failure rate for component i which is denoted by
*i , i = 1,2,,m , we use the following equation :
*i t = (it/s t ). *s t

(3)

So the reliability goal for the component i is

R*i (t) = e-(*i) t

(4)

illustrative example :
A system consists of elements A, B, C and D connected as shown in
fig (3) , the predicted reliabilities of the components are as follows RA= 0.85,
RB=0.9, RC = 0.8, RD = 0.95 .

Fig (3) parallel series system

if the system reliability is to be improved to a value of 0.97, determine the

reliability goal of each component. Assume constant failure rate of all
elements.
solution :1- To evaluate the reliability goal of each element , the given elements
A,B,C and D are replaced by an equivalent single elements say P1, P2, P3
and P4 respectively.
by making use eq. (1)

RP1 = 1 (1 RA ) 2 RP1 = 1 (1 0.95) 2

= 0.99

RP 2 = 1 (1 RB ) 2 RP 2 = 1 (1 0.99) 2
= 0.99

RP 3 = 1 (1 RC ) 2 RP 3 = 1 (1 0.9) 2
= 0.99

RP 4 = 1 (1 RD ) 2 RP 4 = 1 (1 0.96) 2
= 0.99

now the given system has been reduced to a series system as shown in fig (4)

P2

P1

P3

P4

fig.(4)
We have, the reliability of the system is
The value of t would have been P1 t = P2 t =P3 t =P4 t = 0.01
2- Thus the system reliability is given by
R System (t)

= RP1 (t) RP2 (t) RP3 (t) RP4 (t)

= exp [-(P1t + P2t + P3t + P4t)]
= exp - (S t)

Where S t = 0.01+0.01+0.01+0.01= 0.04

R System (t) = exp (- 0.04) = 0.96
3- The desired reliability R*System (t) = 0.97 for the system, there fore

-* t
R*System (t) = e S = 0.97 *S t = 0.03
R*System (t) = exp (-P1 t ) exp (-P2 t ) exp (-P3t ) exp (-P4 t )
*P1 = (*s/s) P1 , *P2 = (*s/s) P2
*P3 = (*s/s) P3 , *P4 = (*s/s) P4
Hence, the allocated reliabilities are
R*P1 (t) = exp - (*s/s) P1

R*P2 (t)= exp - (*s/s) P2

R*P3 (t)= exp - (*s/s) P3

R*P4 (t)= exp - (*s/s) P4

R*P1 (t) = exp - (0.03/0.04) 0.01 = 0.0075

R*P2 (t) = exp- (0.03/0.04) 0.01 = 0.0075
R*P3 (t) = exp- (0.03/0.04) 0.01 = 0.0075
And

R*P4 (t) = exp - (0.03/0.04) 0.01 = 0.0075

4. Conclusions
1-

The reliability allocation is depending on the way with which the

elements of the system are connected.

2-

The process considered in this paper is the converse of that for

calculating the system reliability.

3-

This method used to calculate the reliability allocation for more

general structure of parallel - series systems.

References
Govil A.K. " Reliability Engineering", TaTa Mc Graw Hill publishing
company Ltd., New Delhi , 1983, India.
Srinath L.S., Concepts in Reliability Engineering East West press
private Ltd., (1985).

References form internet

Hsiang Lee , Way Kuo and Chunghun HA , Comparison of Max-Min
Approach and NN Method for Reliability Optimization of Series Parallel Systems . Journal of Systems Science and Systems Engineering /
Vol. 12, No.1, March, 2003. U.S.A.
www.rccm.tsinghua.edu.cn/jssse/samples/file-3-hasing-lee.pdf.
Jorge Luis romeu, Understanding series and parallel systems
reliability, Vol.11, no.2, 2004.
http://rac.alionscience .com
Reliability Allocation and Optimization for complex Systems,
www.reliasoft.com/pubs/2000rm-078.pdf.